Choker Necklaces
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Choker Necklaces
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Platinum
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
1960s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
1950s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Bronze
1970s American Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1940s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1980s Unknown Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Post-War Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century European Jugendstil Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Gold, Platinum, Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
1990s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
20th Century Victorian Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Mexican Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amber, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s Central American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Brass, Bronze
1980s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Iolite, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century American Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Silver
20th Century Danish Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Romantic Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
1960s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver, Silver
1990s Swiss Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Classical Greek Choker Necklaces
20th Century Portuguese Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century European Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Edwardian Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Coral, Ruby, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Rock Crystal, Silver
1960s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
1950s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1960s American Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Asian Victorian Antique Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
1940s American Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
1950s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Quartz, Sterling Silver
1970s American Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage Choker Necklaces
Vintage choker necklaces are elegant, alluring and stylish. Cameos, pearls, diamonds and other stones can decorate these necklaces, which come in single or multiple strands. Whether it is a statement piece or a delicate chain, these short necklaces always stand out and turn heads.
The history of the choker can be traced back thousands of years, with Sumerian examples discovered from 2600–2500 B.C. They endured as a popular form of adornment through the centuries, and during the French Revolution they took on a symbolic significance. Women wore ribbons around their throats to mark the passing of those killed by the guillotine. Soon, the plain ribbons were adorned with small cameos and other ornamentation.
European choker necklaces gained a salacious reputation in the 19th century when prostitutes were associated with black ribbons tied around the neck, such as the model in Édouard Manet’s Olympia (1863). Queen Alexandra, Princess of Wales, reversed the trend in the late 19th century by wearing a large pearl and diamond choker, reputedly to hide a scar.
Fashioned from gold, pearls and other precious stones and metals, chokers continued to be worn into the 20th century, alternately statements of wealth and rebellion. They experienced periods of revival in the 1920s, ’40s, ’70s and ’90s for both men and women.
Vintage chokers make a statement with an unmistakable air of femininity. On 1stDibs, find an alluring collection of vintage chokers today, including gold, sapphire and emerald chokers.